Exactly one month later, Aubrey found herself in the little village of Hogsmede. Having just arrived by portkey, she was admiring the quaintness of the dimly lit streets before noticing the massive stone castle that lay ahead in the horizon, gently perched on top of a large hill.

"Good evening, Miss" she heard a voice directed towards her. Lowering her gaze from the castle, she noticed a tall man coming towards her, emerging from a group of three other individuals. He had short, scruffy hair and wore a long coat that seemed to have leaves and twigs scattered throughout it.

"What's your name?" he asked her. She now noticed he had a little clipboard that floated gently along beside him as he walked.

"Um, Aubrey...Knight" she stammered, watching him catch the clipboard and vigorously cross something out on the captured parchment.

"Right, well it's pleasure to meet ya Miss Knight. I'm Ogg, gamekeeper for Hogwarts" he started, holding out a dirty hand. She shook it politely as he continued speaking, "We're just waiting on one more student and then we can head on up to the castle. Why don't you come over and meet the others."

Aubrey joined the group of three that had surrounded Ogg before she arrived. A handsome, dark skinned boy stepped forward first, his hand outstretched.

"How do you do?" he asked, smiling brightly while gently grasping Aubrey's hand. "I'm Garridan Smith, from the Egoli School of Spells and Enchantments...up here from South Africa."

"Pleasure" spoke Aubrey, returning his smile, "I'm Aubrey Knight, from Laurier Academy in Canada." The rest of the introductions continued smoothly while the group waited for the final student to arrive. Aubrey learned that the five students who would be transferring to Hogwarts this year all came from different wizarding schools across the globe. In addition to Garridan, there was a thin red haired boy, Alexander Smith, who had arrived from an academy in Australia. There was also Beval Krum, a tall and burly boy, who had arrived from the Durmstrang Institute. And finally, the last student to arrive was a beautiful blonde witch named Brigitte Broussard who had traveled, not to Aubrey's surprise, from Beauxbatons Academy.

"If you lot are ready then" Ogg's voice bellowed, "you can step aboard and we'll make our way up to the castle." He motioned to a grand, white carriage that seemed to have arrived out of nowhere. The students stepped aboard, but Aubrey took a quick moment to gaze at the pair of Thestrals that were towing the carriage. Her own academy had used the same horse like creatures as a method of transportation for students around the school grounds. Her thoughts quickly drifted to the memory of her first day at Laurier, when others thought her crazy after she made a comment on the strange creatures. It would be two years later, in her Care of Magical Creatures lesson, that Aubrey learned what the horses really were, and the conditions required in order to see them. Grinning slightly, her memory was interrupted by the sudden jolt of the carriage.

"Um...I guess I forgot to say this" Ogg said, rather bashfully, "but welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! You all just sit back and relax, take in your surroundings" he bellowed over the loud noise of the carriage wheels. "We'll arrive at Hogwarts in no time."

In what seemed like a matter of minutes, the students were abandoning the carriages and following Ogg into the entrance hall of Hogwarts. Each of them, especially Aubrey, had gaping mouths as they entered the ancient building, taking in the high, vacant ceilings, moving paintings and the many intricate, stone carvings.

"Just wait here a moment while I tell a professor you lot have arrived" said Ogg, as he scurried off down a dimly lit hallway. In front of the group rested a heavy set of wooden doors, from which came rounds of cheering and applause every thirty seconds or so. Aubrey continued to gaze at the massive entrance way when a familiar voice caught her attention.

"Miss Knight, what a pleasure to see you again!" Aubrey turned around to find a tall, thin wizard in brightly coloured robes staring back at her. He had long auburn hair and matching beard, half moon spectacles and bright, twinkling blue eyes.

"Professor Dumbledore" Aubrey replied, stepping forward to shake his awaiting hand, "how are you?"

It had been six years since Aubrey had last seen Professor Dumbledore, however she knew that she would never be able to forget his eccentric appearance. The pair had met for the first time at her mother's funeral when Dumbledore, a favourite teacher of her mum's, had come to give his sympathies.

"Such a tragedy, the loss of a young life" Dumbledore had said to Aubrey and her father after the service. "She was such a clever witch...I much enjoyed having her as a pupil."

Aubrey knew the feeling was mutual, as her mother often raved about how brilliant Dumbledore was, and how she only hoped that Aubrey would one day have the chance to study with him as well.

"I was so glad that you were able to make it" the present Dumbledore said, engulfing Aubrey's hand with both of his. "How have you been? And your father, how is he?" he pressed on.

"He's well, thank you sir" Aubrey lied, releasing her hand from his. "We both are-"

But her words were interrupted as the great wooden doors before them swung open, revealing a crowded room full of students, all sitting neatly at four long tables.

"Excellent, excellent" spoke Dumbledore quietly. "Well there will be plenty of time for catch up, I am sure", he continued, his voice suddenly getting louder. "But as for right now, you five must be sorted into your new houses with which you will stay during your duration at Hogwarts."

"If you would please follow me" Dumbledore said, motioning into the great hall, "we shall begin."

And with that the five transfer students followed the professor single file into the great hall, with Brigitte Broussard following closely in Dumbledore's footsteps, and Aubrey falling into place at the end.